President of Constitutional Court suggests prohibiting sale of morning-after pill in Peru

Lima, Peru, Oct 28, 2009 / 02:18 am (CNA).- The president of the Constitutional Court of Peru, Juan Vergara, has asked the Minister of Health, Oscar Ugarte, to prohibit the sale of the morning-after pill in pharmacies due to its abortifacient effects.

During a press conference, Vergara stated that the ruling by the Constitutional Court last week to halt distribution of the drug in public facilities was made because its abortifacient effect has not been disproven and the Peruvian constitution provides protection for the unborn.

Vergara noted that the Ministry of Health could issue an order prohibiting the sale of the drug, and lamented that Ugarte used an argument “employed by the manufactures of the pill” in order to defend its distribution.

Vergara said he supports prohibiting the pill because it “promotes death.” He added that Ugarte couldn’t be blamed for not understanding the court’s ruling because he is not a lawyer.

The president of the Council of Ministers, Javier Velasquez, said the government would follow the court’s ruling and suggested that organizations that disagree appeal to international courts.